Tuesday, August 31, 2010

A few photo's of my orchid collection. We have about a thousand ( could be more but don't tell John ). There are many different genera hidden away in nooks and crannies, anywhere we can find a spot that will let us squeeze in just one more. I know, I know, it's a sickness there is no cure for. But we do get to enjoy lovely blooms all year round so it's worth all the work, especially at this time of the year as our show is on next month and we will be flat out working to make it the success it has been in the past.

No.. I am not referring to myself Lol... Let me explain! I got tired of having the rugs i have made in the granny pattern twisting further and further around with each row. I decided to try something a little different and of course, i don't think it's a new idea, only new to me. Anyway i will let you be the judge of the result and i will see if anyone can work out what i have done. I would love to hear your comments... :))

Sunday, August 29, 2010

In order to tell this tale I need to travel back in time for a few days..... We are doing some renovations to our bathroom, replacing the old vanity unit and sink with a new one. I needed somewhere to put all that stuff that seems to gather under the sink sooo..... i said...' lets buy one of those narrow pantry cupboards and well put it between the end of the bath and the wall', 'then i can transfer all the stuff into that while we do the changeover', easy right?? John measured the spot and knowing that our local variety store sold them for a certain amount and thinking of the pennies, I had the bright idea that we could get one much cheaper if we looked around, off we went to the hardware store near where we live but that cupboard was much more expensive so we went to the one on the other side of town and that was much cheaper for the same thing, we bought one and went home. The next day John put the cupboard together and boy was it heavy and awkward but we got it inside to the bathroom to find that it was too wide to go into the spot. After few thoughtful pauses and exclamations it got moved into my craft room for the time being so to speak . ( Didn't take me long to fill it with craft supplies ). Saturday came and off we went to our craft day, John went ot the variety store to measure up their cupboards and when i came home we went and bought one of theirs, problem solved?? NO! I was just enjoying a nice cuppa when John came inside and said.. " there are no hinges or screws in the box'. A phone call later and we were back on the way to the shop to pick up the hinges etc. On the way i said ' i take it the shelves were in the box'? Deafening silence!! 'I'm not sure' he said, 'They must be' i said, 'was the box open'?? 'No'. 'well then, they must be in there'.. silence again. Arriving at the shop the hinges were there waiting for us as promised so we headed home once again all the time wondering if we had shelves.. What do you think?? We got home and there were no shelves... another phone call and back we went to the store with me wishing i'd kept my big mouth shut. When we arrived it was to find that we should have been given 2 boxes instead of one, the hinges and shelves were in a separate box. John put it all together and it fitted with room to spare. So now we have 2 cupboards instead of one and it cost us twice as much and petrol to boot but there is a bright side to all this... I now have a cupboard for my craft supplies and my room will be much tidier... Yeh right!! Lol.... Just have to see the funny side or scream....

Yesterday was a very interesting day in many ways... I will start with the day of friendship i was fortunate to share with my two friends, Pat and Trix. A few days ago we were invited to attend a craft day with the 'Threads' craft group at Longford. There must have been at least 140 women of all ages who attended and shared their favourite crafts with everyone . There were beautifully made quilts and lovely bead jewelry, fine embroidery, card making and knitting and of course, crochet. Trix worked on her quilting, a beautiful rendition of a plate she and her husband bought in Morroco a few years ago. Pat and I worked on our crochet rugs ( when we weren't checking out the lovely craft the other ladies were working on ) which were very much admired by many of the ladies present. We were provided with lovely cakes and savouries for morning and afternoon teas and soup for lunch so we were well taken care of.. All in all a great day was had by all.

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

I have started a yarn giveaway competition on my community page on blogfrog. Anyone interested can leave a comment and i will choose a winner when i have enough response so come visit me and be in the running.... :))

The going is rather slow on this wool eater rug. It's not difficut to do when you learn the method but it does need all your concentration to crochet it correctly. It is so easy to lose focus and make a mistake,i have made a couple but i was able to fudge them and it's not noticable thank goodness, not a pattern that encourages unpulling, at least not for me.. Lol... And definately not to be done when watching the telly.. :))

I have been a bit lax as far as showing any of my beadknitting so here is a photo of a doll i made for one of my friends. I designed the pattern myself but didn't bother to write it down so it's a one off as far as i am concerned. She was very pleased with the doll and though it was supposed to be for her gd, she said she couldn't part with it and gd would have to wait for it as part of her inheritance. :))

Sunday, August 22, 2010

I have been looking through some of my photo's and found this one taken last summer. It is a picture taken in our garden where we spend most days during the summer and after looking at it i can't help saying "come on summer'. Check out the size of the hippy's in the big pot on the far right, just beautiful....

What a lovely day i've had today.... Chatted with my friend on the phone, about crochet of course plus a few other things but mainly crochet. Also spoke to my daughter in law, my grandson's footy team won their game yesterday and are well on the way to the finals. They are at the top of the ladder for the under 18's and i hope they continue their running streak right up to the final in a couple of weeks. Went out in the car for short drive to the supermarket, not something i like normally but i enjoyed it today. Must be all that lovely sunshine we have had. I have also done quite a bit more on my crochet rugs, the ufo as well as the new rug i started last week, both are growing nicely which is good because it keeps my interest going and i really need to push myself a lot of the time. Hope tomorrow is as good as today!! Oh well, must get back to my crochet before i have to get dinner ready.. :))

Saturday, August 21, 2010

This is the rug i am working on at present, i saw one my friend made in the same pattern and i really liked the look of it. Amazing really what you can do if you are interested in something, it's only taken me a few days to get this far and i have already used 250 grams of yarn. Still a lot more to do of course. It is basically a granny but with a front post stitch in the corners which makes the pattern.

The first one is one i started some time ago and my friend has been on at me to finish it for awhile now so i must get on with it again. I can't find the exact colours i started with so i may have to add more colours and make a rainbow rug of sorts.

My sugar & cream cotton arrived the other day and i am very pleased with it and am itching to make something with it. I bought it from Spin Blessings, a company in the US. I am impressed with the quality of the service and the swiftness of delivery, just one week. The colours are brilliant and there are so many it is difficult to make a choice. The cone weighs 1lb and i am going to make christmas potholders and other things with it, not sure what else at present, i might have to call for ideas from friends.. Lol..

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

This is a very different orchid and was not easy to make but it turned out ok, design on the spot as you might say..Spent the day with my friend yesterday, crochet, chatting and good music in the background... Always enjoyable...

Friday, August 13, 2010

Took a couple of pics of some of my afghans, i have given away most of the others as gifts without getting a pic of them so i am left with just a few... I will have to get to work and quickly. I have plenty of exchange squares i can put together as soon as i can find the time. Hmmm... the days are just not long enough..Lol.. :))

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

What fun!! An orchid made of crochet cotton... be so nice if patterns were written so I in particular could understand them... Oh well.... It did work out eventually but took all afternoon to finish it. My friend wants to make them by the dozen,, hahaha.. I don't think so.. LOl...

Oh goodie, another wednesday has come around and that means sharing the day with my best friend Pat and crocheting, talking and anything else that takes our fancy including keeping up with our blogs. It is raining flat out and has been all night so it's not too good on the roads today but i must have my day of crochet.. LOl.. Any excuse to stay inside and crochet is never missed.

Friday, August 6, 2010

I grabbed a good bargain today, went to our local print shop and while looking for a decent weight card to put in my printer i found some packs of soap of all things, just right for my soaps on a rope that i am making for the men in my family. Huon Pine fragrance of all things, smells gorgeous and very manly for the menfolk so i hope they will like them.

It's great! I have a day to myself today, for most of the day anyway.. doesn't happen often so i am making the most of it. Bead knitting this morning for a time and crochet for the rest of the day. I am working on baby doll dresses in bead knitting and more washers and bags for christmas gifts. My granddaughters love them so they will get one each with some nice soap and whatever else i come up with, i may give each of them a purse as well with some goodies in it.

Had a great day yesterday, had the family here for John's birthday party. It was lovely to have the grandkids all here together and my boys of course. I was too tired to post yesterday, only had the computer on for a couple of minutes, just long enough to answer an email and by the time everyone left i was ready to put my feet up and collapse in a chair.

Subscribe To

Google+ Followers

About Me

Mother, grandmother, partner and friend. I love crocheting and quilting and grow orchids. I adore my family and friends and enjoy blogging and reading the comments left on my blog, so please.. 'Make my day' and leave me comment.. Blessings. :)

Crochet and Orchids

Hi and welcome to my blog about crochet, orchids and other crafts. Please feel free to use any of my patterns or recipes that you like. Come visit anytime, you are always welcome and I love to read your comments.